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ST. LOUIS – There were holes all over the defense, missing stars, missing pieces.

And NaVorro Bowman played like a man trying to fill all the holes.

“The way he led on defense was outstanding,” Jim Harbaugh said.

The 49ers, a team that suffered few injuries on their way to the Super Bowl last season, have been riddled with losses early this season. In their fourth game of the season, they were missing their nose tackle Ian Williams to a broken ankle, pass-rusher Aldon Smith to alcohol rehabilitation and Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis was inactive for the game with a groin pull.

Into the void stepped Bowman, who – overshadowed by his more famous or flashy teammates – has become the 49ers best player on defense.

He had two sacks, a forced fumble, a near interception and six tackles.

“I didn’t necessarily put it on my own shoulders but I like to look at it as raising the game,” he said. “If a link gets taken out of the chain, someone has to step up. And being a veteran guy, you have to think like that if you want to be the best. I was just playing my game.”

Bowman said he had plenty of motivation.

“A division opponent – we remember the game that happened last year here,” he said. “Playing for Aldon, playing for Pat. If we lose someone, we have to pick up our game.”

The 49ers offense started slowly, but the 49ers defensive effort kept the game close. They allowed only a field goal to St. Louis, until a garbage-time meaningless touchdown. After a slow start, the 49ers offense got rolling.

“We can see that we need to keep playing and our offense will come around sooner or later,” he said. “That was the test for us in the early games. We may struggle and get adversity but we can’t stop as a defense.”

Bowman praised substitutes Michael Wilhoite and Dan Skuta. He said it was satisfying to manhandle an offense. The Rams managed just 188 total yards and 18 yards rushing, the seventh-fewest the 49ers have allowed in franchise history.

“It was a good night for us,” he said. “Everything was clicking. No one got rattled.”